Manurewa withstood a hearty challenge from Bombay before easing away in the final 10 minutes to win their opening McNamara Cup game 38-17 at Bombay on Saturday. The lead changed multiple times over the first hour and bit as both teams had their moments in the hot sun.
But as the game opened up, halfback David Cama and second-five/fullback Larenz Tupaea-Thomsen created opportunities that Manurewa were good enough to finish.
“It was a slow start – we tried hanging in there in the first half but good pressure from Bombay,” Manurewa coach Kaino Kaino told Counties Sports Hub.
“It managed to open up in the second half, and we were able to dot down a few times there.
“Our set piece – we worked hard on it and it showed out there.
“Very pleased but as always there is plenty to work on.”
Ardmore Marist came back in the second half after a dominant first 40 minutes by last season’s runners-up Pukekohe to secure a bonus point win in Friday night’s clash at Navigation Homes Stadium. Inspired by experienced number eight Alamanda Motuga, Ardmore Marist looked dangerous with ball in hand and made the perfect start to the season.
Blair Butchart kicked a last-minute penalty to secure a bonus point for Pukekohe.
“Just really proud of our defensive effort – they threw everything at us and we kind of answered it so pretty proud.
“To get a bonus point at the stadium too is pretty cool.”
Defending champions Karaka conceded a pair of tries to newcomers Weymouth but cruised to a massive 118-10 win at Laurie Gibbons Reserve. Craig Hill’s side scored 18 tries in the one-sided result.
“Speaking to the Weymouth coaching crew before the game, they were pretty excited about being back in P1,” Hill said.
“The team started like it, jumping on a mistake of ours to score the first try.
“To their credit, they kept going and their discipline was 100%.
“There were a few dropped balls from our boys, which we will need to tidy up.
“Don’t know if I have been in a game that was so warm – it was pretty taxing for the players.”
Patumahoe proved far too good for fellow newcomers Papakura – winning their game 118-3 at Patumahoe Domain. It was all one-way traffic from the outset as the 2024 champions flexed their muscles early.
“Papakura never went away – credit to them for giving it their best,” Patumahoe coach Greg Stanford said.
“At times we were tested defensively and our lads were made to work hard.
“In games that can open up so quickly it is often challenging to stay on task but the lads worked hard to this in big parts of the game.
“Sterner tests to come.”
Karaka had to work hard to beat Waiuku 52-33 in the Bob Chandler Cup Premier 2 competition at Rugby Park. Patumahoe thumped Papakura 69-5, while Manurewa scored at the death to edge Bombay 17-12 at Bombay. Pukekohe blanked Ardmore Marist 27-0.
Defending champions Te Kauwhata edged old rivals Maramarua 32-27 in a terrific Sid Marshall Shield opener to claim the Golden Gumboot. Drury hammered Tuakau 89-17 while Onewhero secured a 56-12 win over Pukekohe. Te Kohanga produced a superb performance to blank Puni 48-0 at Puni.
RuaNorth – the combined Maramarua and Hauraki North entity – secured a first-up 24-0 win over Ardmore Marist in the Massey Cup U21 competition. Elsewhere, Karaka beat Pukekohe 46-28 while Patumahoe were too strong for Manurewa 66-33.
Beachlands Maraetai opened the U85kg season with a 23-10 win over Hamilton Marist. Karaka collected a 43-7 road win over Bombay while Waiuku enjoyed a 44-16 win over Fraser Tech from Waikato. Patumahoe eased past Drury 21-6 while Pukekohe went down to Morrinsville 25-12.
